Heavy police protection, just for Vladimir Lenin statue

Pro-European demonstrations march down Shevchenko Boulvard, passing the statue of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin near Kreshchatyk Street. Ever since vandals damaged the statue four years ago, there has been a constant police presence to safeguard the monument. The police took no chances on Nov. 24, heavily fortifying the statue.

The majority of protesters just walked past the statue shouting “Hanba (Shame on you)” to the police officers guarding the Communist Party leader’s statue, although several dozen activists reached the red-colored Communist Party tent and trampled it.

Ever since vandals damaged the nose and one arm of the Bolshevik leader in 2009, forcing an expensive repair job completed in 2010, the Communist Party has kept vigil at the site — erecting a tent and hiring private security guards.

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